Research Projects

Styrene/polystyrene/EPS/XPS/thermocol is important industrial chemical with wide applications in automobile parts; polymer resins; plastics; packaging materials; electronic, home appliances; pipes; paints; toys; cartridges; gardening pots; carpet backing. Tobacco smoke, off-gassing of building materials, consumer products, vehicle emissions cause exposure to styrene in general population. In industries, workers are exposed to styrene during production/processing above permissible exposure limits. International studies showed neurological, immunological & clastogenic effects upon styrene exposure. However, no study is reported in India on styrene exposure, prevalence, health effects in general/working population. Therefore, absolutely no data is available in India on interventions in styrene/polystyrene industries. During Covid-19 outbreak (May’2020) accidental styrene leakage in Visakhapatnam highlights lack of chemical safety in these industries. Hence, present study is designed to evaluate exposure level of styrene, biomarkers of exposures & effects among workers of styrene/polystyrene industries; & to design translational component for benefit of stakeholders as social responsibility. Hypothesis: (1) Base line styrene exposure data of workers will be achieved by exposure assessment & biomarker analysis through a cross-sectional study; (2) Alteration of novel protein interactions upon styrene exposure from unexposed controls will be achieved by MS-based profiling; (3) Based on existence/performance of pollution control devices in industries, suitable intervention will be designed to minimize styrene exposures in country. Objectives: (1) To evaluate personal- & work area-exposure to styrene in different styrene/polystyrene processing industries. (2) To correlate biomarker of exposure & biomarker of effects with exposure levels of styrene, & compare with TLV. (3) To identify novel protein interactions upon styrene exposure, & compare with unexposed controls. (4) To evaluate possible factors for styrene exposure in industries, & design/suggest suitable intervention for stakeholders. Methods: 6 different states of India will be considered for sampling based on listed styrene sites in Govt. websites. Laboratory analysis and statistical analysis will also be done. Expected outcome & application: (1) Generate base line data of personal & work area exposure to styrene, biomarkers for styrene exposures & effects among styrene/polystyrene exposed workers in India. (2) Generate data for India with respect to styrene exposure effect on SCEs, lymphocyte subset & SO-protein adducts complementary to MA, PGA among workers in these industries. (3) Explore novel protein interactions upon styrene/polystyrene exposure, which can be served as exposure-/effect-biomarker(s) from diagnostic point of view (early detection marker); & (4) Design/advise suitable intervention for workers/stakeholders, if exposures exceed TLV values in industries.